Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok speak during Winter session of Karnataka Assembly, in Belagavi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Bureau
The discussion on infrastructure development and devastation in the recent floods and drought in North Karnataka saw verbal exchange between the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP members, and an adjournment in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was forced to intervene to calm the tempers, urging both sides to maintain decorum, and follow the House rules and traditions of not interrupting those allowed to speak by the Chair.
The House plunged into chaos after Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda interrupted Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, who initiated the discussion.
Taunt and response
When Mr. Ashok taunted the government over delay in providing relief to the farmers affected by drought, Mr. Gowda took exception and pointed out that the State went to the Supreme Court for the first time in the history of independent India to seek drought relief from the Centre. Soon, he was joined by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge, who defended the government and also attacked the BJP for “playing politics” on the issue.
BJP members rose to their feet and the House was drowned in the cacophony. Mr. Ashok, when asked to continue by the Chair, refused to do so, and asked the ruling party members to decide what should be spoken, forcing an adjournment.
Lessons in decorum
When the House resumed, Mr. Siddaramaiah urged members not to use unparliamentary language and also not interrupt. “It is not proper to interrupt when the Leader of Opposition or the Chief Minister is speaking. If the speakers do not yield, they should not be interrupted. I will tell the members and Ministers not to interrupt. Mr. Gowda was speaking facts.” He also urged the Opposition to critcise the government based on facts, and not mislead the House.
Earlier, Mr. Ashok said that the farmers are in distress and taking to the streets in protest. “In May, 2020, you (Mr. Siddaramaiah) had tweeted suggesting setting up a ₹5,000 crore fund to help farmers in distress. You had promised the same in 2023 election manifesto,” he said, demanding to know what had happened to the promises.
In the Council too, members of the BJP and the Congress engaged in a heated debate over relief to farmers who suffered losses due to heavy rains.
Published – December 09, 2025 08:29 pm IST
